Aniracetam and Oxiracetam are two commonly used nootropic agents that are purported to have memory and focus-boosting properties. As cognitive enhancers, both are used by individuals who want to support their brain function and increase their mental clarity.

Both of these compounds are members of the Racetam family of nootropic drugs and are structurally similar to Piracetam. Oxiracetam and Aniracetam are more potent than Piracetam and have slightly different methods of action.

Many of the effects of these nootropic drugs are similar, but Aniracetam is viewed as better for mood enhancement, stress relief and for social anxiety. Oxiracetam is considered to be slightly more stimulatory, better for enhancing focus and promoting mental acuity.

There have not been any comparative studies examining the effects of these cognitive enhancers in similar groups of patients. Most of the information we have on contrasting their effects comes from user reviews and anecdotal experiences.

This information provides valuable insight into how people feel these nootropics affect them, but should be taken with a grain of salt. Not everyone responds to Aniracetam and Oxiracetam in the same way and their is a high degree of variability in the effects described.

Some users prefer to combine these two in an Aniracetam Oxiracetam stack. There may be synergistic benefits associated with this combinaton.

Aniracetam (N-anisoyl-2-pyrrolidinone, Draganon, Sarpul, Ampamet) is the second most popular Racetam nootropic behind its parent compound Piracetam.

It is an analog of Piracetam with an additional anisoyl ring and O-methoxy group. It is fat-soluble, while Piracetam and Oxiracetam are water-soluble.

Because of its fat-solubility, it has high absorption from the gut and can readily cross the blood-brain barrier.

Clinically, this nootropic agent has been used in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, senile dementia, age-related cognitive decline and other forms of cerebrovascular disorders. It has been shown to improve memory, reasoning, attention and focus in research studies.

Aniracetam was found to be more potent than Piracetam in comparative clinical trials, even when taken at lower dosages. It also has a stronger effect on anxiety and mood. The primary difference between Aniracetam and other Racetams is its ability to reduce feelings of stress and anxiousness.

According to Nootropics Depot, “Studies have also shown that this racetam may increase sensory perceptions, improve creativity, and reduce symptoms of social anxiety. Aniracetam may also streamline communication between the brain’s hemispheres.”

Users describe improved mental energy, concentration and clarity of though in Aniracetam experience logs. It is also reported to improve auditory and visual perception, help users to feel less nervous in social settings, and to enable users to study and focus for long periods of time without becoming fatigued.

Many describe benefits for verbal fluidity, both in speaking and in written communications. Research also described neuroprotective benefits as well as potential improvements in neuroplasticity.

While it is not as strong of a focus booster as Pramiracetam or Phenylpiracetam, some users prefer this nootropic specifically for its mood-lifting effects. It is described as promoting a feeling of calm, balanced mental activity without a feeling of over-excitation.

Oxiracetam Benefits:

Unlike Aniracetam, it does not have significant effects on mood, depression or anxiety. Instead, it appears to have psychostimulant properties and may promote higher energy levels.

It is only mildly stimulating and does not produce effects as powerful as Phenylpiracetam or Adderall. However, it also does not cause jitters or restlessness in the majority of users but only moderately increases alertness and attention.

Oxiracetam is similar to Piracetam, except for the addition of a hydroxyl group. It requires a significantly smaller dosage compared to the original Racetam archetype.

In research studies, it is reported to promote positive effects on logical thinking, problem solving, spatial reasoning, attention, memory and cognitive energy. In patients with multi-infarct dementia, cerebrovascular disease and age-related cognitive decline it has been shown to improve speaking ability, wakefulness and mental functionality.

Research suggests that it supports several processes related to long-term memory formation. It has been shown in studies involving healthy young adults to improve memory function. These same studies have not yet been conducted with Aniracetam.

According to user anecdotal experiences, a beneficial effect of this nootropic supplement is improved ability to perform calculations and think analytically through complex topics including mathematics, chemistry, engineering and other scientific areas of study.

It is also described as increasing productivity, motivational drive, reducing distractions and improving task saliency. Reviews describe it as beneficial for completing long periods of intense work.

While it does show both neuroprotective properties and benefits for mental performance, in clinical trials it is noted that the therapeutic benefits can take several weeks to months in order to fully manifest.

There is less research available on Oxiracetam and it has not been as widely used in clinical therapy compared to Aniracetam. It is also the less popular of the two commercially.

Aniracetam Method Of Action

What is unique about Aniracetam’s mechanism of activity is that many of its effect are indirect.

This nootropic agent is metabolized by the liver into other compounds including N-Anisoyl-GABA, 2-pyrrolidinone, and anisic acid. Almost all of the effects of this compound are attributed to actions of its metabolites.

Aniracetam has a short half-life of 1 – 2.5 hours. However, its pharmacological effects extend beyond this duration because most of the effects are mediated by the metabolites.

It is considered to be an AMPAkine nootropic, which means that it modulates AMPA receptors for the neurotransmitter glutamate. After binding to these receptors, it decreases their rate of desensitization such that they remain activated for a longer period of time.

Glutamate is the chief excitatory neurotransmitter in the nervous system, involved in over 90% of the synapses in the human brain. AMPA receptors are ionotropic receptors involved in fast excitatory neurotransmission.

This chemical messenger system plays role in learning and long-term memory, as well as the concept of synaptic plasticity. By increasing activation of AMPA receptors, Aniracetam may promote learning and encoding of new memories for long-term storage.

Aniracetam also facilitates cholinergic neuroreceptor activation and may increase the release of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. This neurotransmitter is also involved in memory, playing a role in the consolidation of short-term to long-term memory.

It also is responsible for dreaming, attention control, ability to direct focus and ignore distractions, arousal, verbal and logical reasoning as well as neuroplasticity.

Furthermore, this nootropic agent has been found to increase dopamine and serotonin activity in the brain. These are two neurotransmitters involved in mood regulation.

Dopamine is linked to the reward centers in our brain and facilitates feelings of pleasure, goal-seeking behavior, motivational drive as well as executive function.

Serotonin is a relaxing neurotransmitter that signals satiety, satisfaction, contentment and happiness. It is also involved in the synthesis of melatonin, which is the inhibitory neurotransmitter that initiates sleep cycles.

Aniracetam has an anxiolytic effect, which is likely mediated in part by its activity on the serotonergic system. This is why many users say that this racetam has a calming effect and makes them feel more confident and less anxious in social activities.

Oxiracetam Method Of Action:

Research shows that it can increase uptake of choline into neurons, which may promote increased synthesis and release of acetylcholine. It has also been show to increase blood flow in the brain and enhance oxygen and glucose uptake.

It does not possess the same activity on dopamine or serotonin receptors. However, it is believed to increase norepinephrine (noradrenalin) activity. This is a neurotransmitter that is involved in the body’s fight-or-flight response, working to promote greater vigilance, wakefulness and attention.

It has also been shown to increase D-aspartic acid release from activated hippocampal neurons and not from resting neurons. This may promote greater metabolic activity in activated neurons and support enhanced memory formation.

It further increases Protein Kinase C expression. PKC is an intracellular second messenger involved in the formation of new connections between neurons. This protein plays a role in Long-Term Potentiation which is the phenomenon that allows memories to be stored or encoded in the brain.

Oxiracetam is typically taken in a dosage of 750 to 1,500 mg per day, but some users experience benefits at a lower dose of 500 mg per day.

Aniracetam vs. Oxiracetam User Reviews

In the section below, you will find a compilation of user reviews and experiences with Aniracetam and Oxiracetam.

These reviews are intended to give you some insight into how these nootropics affect different people. Note that your individual response may be different from those reported below.

“Aniracetam seems to build up quickly in about a day or getting to it’s full potential with me, It can make me feel burned out from concentrating so hard. I usually feel that my body-mind connection is stronger in that I feel more focused aggressive.

“I have 750mg caps of both aniracetam and oxiracetam. I am looking to increase my verbal articulation, motivation, focus, memory, perception, mood, and cognition (I know, quite a tall order). My main motive for this stack was to include the oxiracetam for its potency + long (8 hour) half life, and the aniracetam for its widely regarded anxiolytic/mood-stabilizing characteristics.

I tried dosing oxiracetam yesterday and didn’t notice too much besides my brain taking in much more “information” when I went outside, I just kind of looked around and went “hmmm, my brain is focusing on a lot of the scenery at once”. I tried dosing one cap of each racetam this morning but got brain fog along with a headache, although I’ve heard that aniracetam causes brain fog with its first couple uses (please verify). Please note I am taking 2400-3600mg of lecithin daily.”- Mitch [1]

“Aniracetam always made me sleepy, almost drunk in terms of balance, but did enhance color saturation. I tried it on many occasions at various doses, alone and in combination with piracetam. When combined with piracetam it just dragged pir’s awake-clarity down.

…Finally, oxiracetam seems to slightly attenuate the increased visual color saturation induced by piracetam, but enhances or maintains the visual edge-sharpness. Unlike piracetam, auditory enhancement is significant and easily observed when listening to music or any other sound. .”- Guest_Isochroma_* [2]

“Aniracetam: …This is my favorite racetam, but it comes with a catch. It doesn’t seem to have the same effect for everyone. Some users can take this one for months and not see any cognitive benefit, while others it provides stimulation and a clean anxiolytic effect. I take 1500mg twice a day, and it helps me deal with stressful situations, and it almost has a social benefit. I’m less tightly wound on Aniracetam….

…Oxiracetam is a good study aid, and I use it as such. I find it wakes me up and puts me in a mood to write this guide even. This is the workhorse of strenuous mental activity. If I have to go running, I take some too. I feel more active on it, and I want to get up and go.”- TripTipper [3]

“Aniracetam is known for having a calming effect on the central nervous system and inducing concentration and focus, which is very prevalent in my research on primates and aniracetam. Oxiracetam improves short term memory as well as brain management in regards to learning. /neuroscientist working with nootropics and bonobos.” – LowGun [4]

“Aniracetam was also good, it took me in very calm state of mind, but didn’t enhance focus as well as piracetam, also after 2 months on it tolerance settled it to all the effects. Oxiracetam just made me irritable, didn’t like it.” – PaulAllen911 [5]

“Just to point out that racetams (or any drug for that matter) don’t affect everyone equally, I really enjoy oxiracetam and don’t care for aniracetam.

Oxiracetam is great in that it enhances music appreciation and musical ability for me. Moreover, I feel a very slight boost in motivation when combined with piracetam and even more when combined with caffeine than caffeine alone.

“to second this post: oxiracetam may be my favorite racetam for how it affects music, and no irritability is present for me, whereas aniracetam for me is ineffective as an anxiolytic. each person truly needs to experiment to find their working racetam schedule.” – baker2g [5]

“Aniracetam: lasts longer, stronger in the areas of reaction time and focus (I find this to be the favorite for sports and hand-eye coordination tasks), best one for anxiolytic effects (anti-anxiety, mood enhancing), I’ve personally noticed this is the best one for enhancing the experience of listening to music. For some it can take a little longer for the effects to build (2-4 weeks at times).

Oxiracetam: Much stronger, makes piracetam seem subtle. This has an energizing effect and your most likely to find yourself cleaning and reorganizing your entire collection of mech warrior memorabilia. Last a while though I find it takes longer to set in. Like piracetam but more so you are able to stick to one task and really drill into it. Takes much less mg to achieve good results.” – baker2g [6]

“Ani: This has either given me “brain fog” or not done much. Smaller doses seem to work best but I still wouldn’t use it long-term. Others seem to have the exact opposite reaction…

Oxi: This has never done much for me so far, although I’ve tried it the least. I don’t feel much no matter how I play with the dosage or stack with other things.” – JesusChristFarted [6]

Conclusion

Aniracetam and Oxiracetam have similar potency scores when used as nootropic supplements or cognitive enhancers. Both are taken at a dosage of between 750 – 1500 mg per day and both appear to promote memory, focus and to attenuate cognitive decline in elderly persons.

The primary difference between the two has to do with their range of effects. Aniracetam is believed to increase dopamine and serotonin levels, resulting in mood enhancement. It has an anxiolytic effect and is commonly taken to help reduce feelings of social anxiety or to promote a positive emotional state.

Oxiracetam does not influence neurotransmitters involved in mood regulation. It does show a positive effect on mental arousal and energy levels and may stimulate the release of excitatory neurotransmitters.

Both are positive modulators of AMPA receptors and may enhance learning and memory formation through long-term potentiation. Both appear to increase cholinergic activity and are often stacked with choline sources.

Aniracetam has been found to increase blood flow and metabolic activity in brain regions linked to holistic thinking while Oxiracetam was shown to increase the release of D-aspartic acid and stimulate of protein kinase C.

Users typically say that Oxiracetam is better for analytical and logical thinking while Aniracetam is better for creative pursuits, writing and speaking.

Oxiracetam has a long half-life of up to 8 hours and effects can take between 30 to 90 minutes to kick in. Aniracetam has a faster onset of effects but has a 1 o 2.5 hour half-life (although the duration of pharmacological effects is longer).

This means you may need to take multiple doses of Aniracetam per day in order to maintain the effects. However, you will have to wait longer to feel the effects of Oxiracetam and the long half-life could result in impaired sleep quality if taken late in the day.

Both are reported to be well-tolerated in research studies and have a low frequency of side effects when used at appropriate dosages. But both can cause headaches, insomnia, changes in mood and other adverse effects in some users.

Both Aniracetam and Oxiracetam are sold without a prescription in the United States. While they have been used clinically in other countries for the treatment of cognitive dysfunction, neither are approved by the FDA as drug for the treatment of medical conditions.

Which nootropic you decide to use will depend on your individual goals and preferences. Some users prefer to take an Aniracetam Oxiracetam stack to benefit from potential synergistic effects deriving from their combined use.

Thanks for your question! Alpha Brain and OptiMind do not contain any Aniracetam or Oxiracetam in their formulas. These ingredients cannot be used in dietary supplements unfortunately under current FDA regulations. We recommend Alpha Brain and OptiMind as two alternative natural brain supplements instead.

OK, they “cannot be used in dietary supplements” but they can be bought and used. I think they are both exceptional supplements. I have not used the ‘pre-mixed’ commercial Alpha Brain and Optimind but am very happy to have discovered racetams over 2 years ago. If you don’t have the time, energy, or brain power to experiment yourself, maybe a pre-mix is the way to go. I just take offense to the way the above products seemed to me to be pushed.
Also want to add… I love “nootiment.com” for it’s useful information.

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